Chess Openings Lab
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Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack

The Two Pawns Attack is 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4, where White kicks the knight again before playing d4. White grabs space in the center and on the queenside; Black must find the right retreat, ...Nb6, and then attack the e5 pawn with ...d6.

Moves
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4
ECO
B02
Engine
+0.59 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,525 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 3...Nb6 continue 4.d4 d6, then 5.exd6 or f4 depending on how much space you want.
  • The pawn push c5, the Lasker Variation, kicks the b6 knight again but leaves the c5 pawn loose.
  • If Black chooses ...Nb4 or ...Nf4, d4 and d5 gain time and leave the knight stranded, as the engine lines show.

Black

  • 3...Nb6 is the only good retreat; it eyes c4 and keeps the knight close to d5.
  • Avoid 3...Nb4 and 3...Nf4, which run into d4 and d5 and leave the knight short of squares.
  • After d4, hit the center with ...d6 and then choose ...cxd6 with ...g6 or a quick ...Nc6.

Plans and pawn structure

The c4 pawn takes d5 from the knight, so Black's piece ends up on b6, away from the kingside. White can follow with d4 and then decide between the Exchange with exd6, the Four Pawns with f4, or the sharp c5 push. Black's plans revolve around ...d6, ...Nc6 and ...Bf5 or ...Bg4 to pressure d4. The more pawns White advances, the more Black's piece play matters.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.59: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.59 3...Nb6 4.d4 d6 5.exd6 cxd6 6.Nc3
  2. +1.57 3...Nb4 4.d4 c5 5.d5 g6 6.a3
  3. +2.04 3...Nf4 4.d4 Ne6 5.d5 Nc5 6.Nf3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,525 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.8%.

under 120058.7%
1200–159952.2%
1600–199947.2%
2000 and up54.8%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

Play 3...Nb6. The other retreats lose time to d4 and d5. Then meet d4 with ...d6 and keep an eye on c5, which can kick the knight again. If White pushes f4 later, take on e5 and pressure d4 with ...Nc6 and ...Bf5 at once.

Questions

What are the moves of the Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack?

The Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack starts 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4. Its ECO code is B02.

Is the Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.59 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 2,525 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.8%. A good choice for players who want space and initiative with White; Black must know the ...Nb6 retreat and the c5 trick.

What is the main idea of the Alekhine Defense: Two Pawns Attack?

White uses c4 to drive the d5 knight back and claim more space before d4. Black retreats to b6 and prepares ...d6, aiming to prove White's pawns are targets.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nb6, with Nb4 and Nf4 close behind. 3...Nb6 is the knight's best square, watching c4 and preparing ...d6 against e5.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.